Is the "thin blue line" eroding in America's Finest City?

Ex-Cop Sex Crimes Case Back in Court

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A preliminary hearing is scheduled to begin Monday in the case of a former San Diego police officer accused of falsely imprisoning women and then sexually assaulting them under the color of authority.

Investigators accuse Anthony Arevalos of brokering deals with female drivers during traffic stops and asking for their panties in exchange for not citing them or, in one case, asking to see proof a woman’s pubic hair was manicured according to court documents obtained by NBCSanDiego.

Officer Pleads Not Guilty in Cop Sex Case

The DA says detectives are talking to six other possible victims. (Published Monday, March 21, 2011)

Arevalos, 40, faces 18 felony counts including false imprisonment, assault under the color of authority, sexual battery by restraint and receiving a bribe in connection with five separate traffic stops between 2009 and 2011.

Among the allegations, that Arevalos inappropriately touched women against their will, photographed them, kept their personal information and contacted them after the assaults to remind them he could still file the paperwork.

Arevalos was arrested March 11 after an incident in the Gaslamp involving a DUI stop on a 31-year-old woman.

The 18-year veteran of the department was suspended without pay after his arrest and relieved of his badge and firearm. After he was officially charged in the case, he was terminated from the department.

Arevalos faces up to 16 years in prison if he is convicted of all charges. He is currently out on bail.